
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Lemania 105 Chronograph, Original Gilt Gloss Tachymetre Dial, circa 1950s
- Maker / attribution
- Lemania (maker)
- Date
- c. 1950s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 35 mm
- Stock no.
- vws3063
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3063)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Lemania 105 Chronograph - Stunning Original Gilt Gloss Tachymetre Dial - c.1950s (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3063), this is a wristwatch by Lemania, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1950s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
A Charming Lemania 105, 1950s Chronograph with a Rich Black Gloss Dial and Opulent Gilt Furnishings, in Superb Vintage Condition With Original Radium Lume Lemania, a prestigious Swiss watch brand, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1884 by Alfred Lugrin. Lugrin specialized in chronographs, stopwatches, and complex movement manufacturing, laying the groundwork for what would become a legacy of innovation and excellence in watchmaking. In 1932, the company officially adopted the name Lemania Watch Co., following its merger with Omega and Tissot into the SSIH group (Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère), which marked a significant milestone in its development. Lemania is perhaps best known for its contributions to the development of chronograph movements. The Lemania 2310 caliber (also known as Omega Caliber 321), introduced in the late 1940s, became legendary when it was chosen by NASA for use in the Omega Speedmaster - the first watch worn on the moon. This caliber is revered among collectors and continues to influence watch design to this day. Despite facing challenges during the quartz crisis of the 1970s and 1980s, Lemania continued to innovate. It remained a key player in mechanical movement manufacturing. In 1992, Lemania became part of Breguet, which was subsequently acquired by The Swatch Group. What's on Offer Well isn't this just beautiful?! This stunning Lemania 105 boasts a stunning gloss dial in rich black with gilt furnishings. There is a Tachymetre scale (a type of watch complication used to measure the speed at which the watch's wearer travels over a fixed period ) to the outer perimeter and 2 recessed counters at 3 o'clock which is a 30-minute timer, and 9 o'clock which is a continuous seconds dial. The Arabic numerals still boast their original radium lume - this is also present on the lozenge hands. The stunning dial is encapsulated underneath an acrylic crystal and encased in polished stainless steel. The case, lugs and pushers are all in superb shape and only bear very light signs of wear, this watch is in exemplary condition, it functions well and keeps good time. For those in the know, this is a fantastic addition to any collection and is very much still wearable - you may even get a few envious glances. It is light and comfortable on the wrist and at 35mm is mid-sized, perfect for any occasion from everyday wear to more formal occasions. We Love It! The watch is sold with a vintage presentation wooden box from Camerer Cuss & Co, a rather charming addition.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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